Victorian opposition push for new Covid inquiry after ‘more fundamental mistakes’

The state opposition says the Andrews government has made 30 “fundamental mistakes” since an initial inquiry into its handling of the pandemic.

An Inquiry into the Victorian government’s handling of the pandemic would be reopened under a bold push by the state opposition, who claim 30 “fundamental mistakes” have led to outbreaks and lockdowns in the past six months.

The Liberal Nationals will on Monday seek the support of Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) members to reopen the Inquiry.

The last report, which was tabled in Parliament in February, was set up “in recognition of the importance of providing information to the public during this unprecedented crisis”.

But since December last year, more “fundamental mistakes” have been made, the state opposition claim.

According to the Liberals, those mistakes include more hotel quarantine breaches, the incorrect listing of exposure sites, huge wait times at testing centres, falsely quarantining interstate travellers and a lack of support for business.

They also claim the state government failed Victorians by using “alarmist language” to incite fear around the new Indian virus variants.

Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Victorians had worked hard to build a recovery out of the second wave lockdown, but that had been “put at risk” by Labor “failing to learn from its previous mistakes”.

“If the Andrews Labor Government continues to force lockdowns and restrictions on Victorians, then the Victorian community should have key questions about Labor’s decisions answered,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Victorians are suffering. Small businesses are closed, students are missing school, all the while the government is playing politics and not releasing the health advice Labor’s lockdowns are based on.

“Victorians deserve an open and transparent government. It’s clear the Andrews Labor Government is making decisions on the run and has no plan for Victorians.”

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

Deputy chair of PAEC Richard Riordan said the Liberal Nationals remained committed to establishing a Royal Commission into Victoria’s handling of the pandemic, but wanted the PAEC inquiry reopened in the meantime.

“Victorians are demanding answers of their government and they are not getting them. This has to change,” Mr Riordan said.

“With small businesses currently suffering and forgotten, calls to mental health services at very high levels, taxpayers still picking up the bill for staff at hotels that have no quarantine guests, and problems with contact tracing, the PAEC inquiry should be reopened immediately.”